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Clunking in Rear

bdm62987
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bdm62987 Enthusiast

bdm62987

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2016 Silverado 4x4 with Bilstein 5100s on all 4 corners. Been noticing that when I drive on different surfaces such as backing into my driveway or changing just the slightest elevation I keep hearing a clunking sound that's pretty evident from the back. Haven't taken it to the dealer yet but looking for everyone else's insight, I am leaning to the leaf springs but not 100% sure

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Justin101714
Justin101714

It is in the springs, but replacing the springs won't fix it, it will come back. The rubber pads in between the springs need to be lubricated with grease on the top and bottom of the pad. This will fi

Dwp_Silveraydo
Dwp_Silveraydo

Brought mine into the dealership last month for this problem twice. First time they tightened everything down in the rear end, took them an hour to do so. Then right when I got back into the truck and

paumat
paumat

here is how I did mine: 1. Get you some bicycle inner tube or rubber sheet (HD sells in plumbing dept) 2. Raise truck from frame on driver side just in front of rear wheel. 3. Use jack stand for s

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ereid74 New Member

ereid74

Posted
Posted

I am assuming you have a Z-71? If so its probably your locker in the rear end. I've noticied this also and it bugs me but my dad has the same truck I do and his does it also. The locker deactivates over 20 mph and I notice it if i coast down to 20 mph and get back in the throttle a bit. Test that out and let us know if its the same noise.

jeck1 New Member

jeck1

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2016 Silverado 4x4 with Bilstein 5100s on all 4 corners. Been noticing that when I drive on different surfaces such as backing into my driveway or changing just the slightest elevation I keep hearing a clunking sound that's pretty evident from the back. Haven't taken it to the dealer yet but looking for everyone else's insight, I am leaning to the leaf springs but not 100% sure

I have the same issue on my 2016 HC. Would hear clunking in the back whenever I would back into my driveway. Asked the dealer to look at it when it was in for service and they said there was a service bulletin about it and 'they tightened things up'. Problem reappeared a few days after and they have ordered new springs for me. Parts are back ordered but all covered under warranty.

 

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Justin101714 Enthusiast

Justin101714

Posted
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It is in the springs, but replacing the springs won't fix it, it will come back. The rubber pads in between the springs need to be lubricated with grease on the top and bottom of the pad. This will fix the issue. I've done it tons of times on the older body style and the new ones.

 

Spraying a lubricant in there won't suffice. The springs have to be separated by shoving a pry bar in between them, lift up the pad and lubricate the bottom and then do the top. Guaranteed to work!

 

 

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Justin101714 Enthusiast

Justin101714

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Posted

I have the same issue on my 2016 HC. Would hear clunking in the back whenever I would back into my driveway. Asked the dealer to look at it when it was in for service and they said there was a service bulletin about it and 'they tightened things up'. Problem reappeared a few days after and they have ordered new springs for me. Parts are back ordered but all covered under warranty.

 

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I'm surprised they got away with ordering springs, GM is discouraging Replacement because the problem will return. Lots of springs have been sent back to the part quality center for inspection and have passed good. They just needed lubrication. Dirt and junk gets in there and it'll make noise. The prior body style did this too. Just not as noticeable because they didn't ride as quiet.

 

 

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Cjmooch Enthusiast

Cjmooch

Posted
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I've had this a little with mine, but I also have a 6" prcomp lift. Where I hear it most though is in the front. Just normal driving or when I turn I hear a clink in the front

Dwp_Silveraydo Enthusiast

Dwp_Silveraydo

Posted
Posted

Brought mine into the dealership last month for this problem twice. First time they tightened everything down in the rear end, took them an hour to do so. Then right when I got back into the truck and started to leave the parking lot, it did the same damn thing. Took it back a week later and they lubricated the leaf springs with some heavy duty grease and the clunk, clink, bang noise went away.Talked to the service guy and he said if the truck continues to do it, they can look into further options, or they will just need to lubricate the springs on a regular basis. A month later the truck is starting to do it again. If you spray some WD40 and coat the springs pretty good while getting the oil in between the springs it'll stop the noise for a couple of days until they get dirty. I also found that when the springs are wet they do not make the noise as the water is acting like a lubricant. Hope this helps.

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bdm62987 Enthusiast

bdm62987

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Called the dealer and I am going in Friday. They said they have had customers with the same problem and replaced the springs so guess I will see what happens.

Highcountry1 Enthusiast

Highcountry1

Posted
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Does anyone have a TSB # for the service bulletin relating to this issue? I have had the same clunking that many of you describe, the dealership blamed it on "undercoating"....not sure how that relates to a clunking noise in the leaf springs but i figure reading the TSB will provide more insight

Justin101714 Enthusiast

Justin101714

Posted
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The bulletin has been removed from service information. Why? I don't know. But it is no longer there. There used to be one, I remember reading it.

 

 

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riake Enthusiast

riake

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Posted

I'm experiencing the same "clunk" as of about a month ago. I initially thought it was due to the trailer hitch and log chain that I keep in a bag in the bed of the truck but the noise started to annoy me so I took everything out of the bed and the clunking is still there. I can replicate the noise by shaking the whole truck side to side by pushing on the bed rails or when I'm driving in revers and suddenly stop. I have an appointment at the dealer today to have a tech diagnose another unrelated issue and plan on bringing the clunking issue up as well. Will keep everyone posted!

riake Enthusiast

riake

Posted
Posted

Unfortunately, the dealer wasn't much help yesterday. The tech. that I spoke with was insistent on the clunking issue is actually normal "play in the axle." It's obviously a suspension issue in the rear and I could replicate the noise all day by bouncing on the truck and we even went for a test drive, but they seem to think it's a non issue. The appointment was only supposed to be diagnostic and they didn't seem to find anything to fix with the few issues my truck has so I'm scheduling an appointment to drop it off in a week with a list of everything that they need to fix. If I can't get my brand new truck to perform the way it should then my next step will be filing a complaint with the BBB, which will hopefully get GM moving towards resolution.

jeck1 New Member

jeck1

Posted
Posted

It is in the springs, but replacing the springs won't fix it, it will come back. The rubber pads in between the springs need to be lubricated with grease on the top and bottom of the pad. This will fix the issue. I've done it tons of times on the older body style and the new ones.

 

Spraying a lubricant in there won't suffice. The springs have to be separated by shoving a pry bar in between them, lift up the pad and lubricate the bottom and then do the top. Guaranteed to work!

 

 

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Just as you said it would, the clunking noise has returned. Got new rear springs installed on Friday, today (Monday) the truck is clunking away again.
amxguy1970 Senior Enthusiast

amxguy1970

Posted
Posted

Clunking is usually something other than leaf springs, usually play in the axle/driveshaft. Creaking/squeaking is the springs and need lubrication. Lubrication won't stop the clunking noise, if it did it was a fluke. There is a good amount of play in the driveshaft to axle, I hear a clunk usually every time I put it in reverse from drive.

 

My springs creaked for a bit after going through some muddy roads a while back, had them cleaned and lubed and nothing since. Just got done hitting a bunch of passes and trails in AZ, UT and CO which had some mud so hope it doesn't come back. It is a truck so if it does oh well, clean and lube again.

 

Tyler

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